Kashmir Solidarity Day being observed today

The Kashmir Solidarity Day being observed throughout the country on Tuesday (February 5) to express unity with the people of Occupied Kashmir in their fight against Indian subjugation.

The day is being marked in Pakistan since 1990 to pay homage to Kashmiri martyrs and highlight the plight for their birth right to self-determination, promised to them by the international community under the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. There is a public holiday on the day.

One-minute silence was observed throughout the country at 10.00am by blowing sirens on Tuesday. The prime minister will host a dinner in honour of prominent Kashmiri leaders in Islamabad. A briefing will be arranged for all foreign mission in Islamabad on the latest situation in Occupied Kashmir, while all major missions abroad will arrange receptions for Pakistanis and Kashmiris.

Rallies, processions, seminars and photo exhibitions also being arranged by Pakistani mission abroad. Packets containing ration will be given to each family living in refugee camps on behalf of people of Pakistan.

A painting exhibition on Kashmir culture will be held at Lok Virsa where Kashmiri songs will be played and photos will be displayed. National Council of Arts would arrange Art Bazaar on Kashmir, puppet show and distribution of poster and badges.

Rallies, demonstrations, human chains by men, women and children being held at various cities of the country, Azad Kashmir and the connecting points between Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to express solidarity with the struggling Kashmiris. Screening of video documentaries on Kashmir with emphasis on human rights violation also being showed.

Efforts are afoot to draw the attention of international community towards Indian atrocities and barbarities, stressing it to play role in resolution of the Kashmir issue. Special functions being held in educational institutions to apprise the new generation with the Kashmir issue and heroic struggle of the Kashmiri nation for their rights. Essay writing competition with relevance to the Day in schools, colleges and universities are also being arranged.

Television channels and Radio airing special programmes to highlight the different aspects of the Kashmir issue, particularly Indian atrocities against innocent Kashmiris.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan and AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majid have issued special messages in connection with the Kashmir Day to express solidarity with the people of occupied Kashmir.

President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday, while expressing solidarity with the Kashmiri people, said Pakistan remained firmly committed to finding a just and peaceful solution of the Kashmir dispute.

In a message on the Kashmir Solidarity Day, the president reiterated with the Kashmiri brethren, Pakistan’s political, moral and diplomatic support towards their just cause for the right of self-determination, as enshrined in the UN Charter and the relevant UN resolutions.

President Zardari also paid tributes to the valiant struggle of the Kashmiri brethren and said they had been rendering huge sacrifices in the quest for realising their inalienable right to choose their destiny by themselves.

He said the Kashmiris had remained resolute and steadfast in the face of oppression spanning over six decades. “Today, we stand in solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters.”

The president said: “Pakistan believes that the use of force, coercion and violation of basic human rights can never succeed in suppressing an indigenous struggle for a just cause. Their perseverance will bear fruit.”

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that Pakistan would stand by the Kashmiris till the realisation of their demands for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

“On behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan, I reaffirm Pakistan’s firm commitment to a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the protection of their fundamental rights,” the prime minister said in his message on the Kashmir Solidarity Day.

The prime minister said the Kashmir dispute had been on the agenda of the United Nations for more than six decades as an unfulfilled obligation. He said the Government of Pakistan would continue to extend its unwavering political, moral and diplomatic support to the just cause of the Kashmiri people to safeguard their right of self-determination through a free and impartial plebiscite in line with the UN Charter and UNSC resolutions and for the protection of their fundamental rights.